Specifically, he said he would call up Gyorko’s agent and buy him out until age 31. That’s buying out the next seven years, which would be his control years +1. What Keri is getting at is teams with limited revenue streams scouting their own system and rolling the dice on young players becoming productive players, even stars. This past offseason, the market rate was hovering around $6 million per wins above replacement. If we look at recent contract extensions given out by Josh Byrnes (Maybin $25M/5, Luebke $12m/4 with two additional option years, Hundley $9m/3 w/ option year), we see that the Padres are paying below market value per WAR. Every one buys out the arbitration years and keeps them on board through ages 30-32, respectively.

I know Cameron Maybin is just the worst because he struggled with a wrist injury, and Hundley was the worst last year as he struggled through a knee injury (and this year, depending on the day. His mouth, not withstanding…), and Luebke is recovering from Tommy John surgery…but, these are team-friendly deals. Even more so if the players continue to produce as they have when healthy. That’s the idea! By coincidence, the Chicago Cubs yesterday signed Anthony Rizzo to a 7 year, $41 million contract, with two additional option years moving that to 9 years and $70 million. You can see the breakdown of that contract here.

Now, because Keri is commenting on locking up a player 35 games into his career, the inevitable comparison to Evan Longoria’s extension came along. The Rays signed Longoria to a 6-year, $17.5M contract (with an additional 3 option years) 6 days into his career. The contract broke down as such (via Cot’s): 08:$0.5M, 09:$0.55M, 10:$0.95M, 11:$2M, 12:$4.5M, 13:$6M, 14:$7.5M club option ($3M buyout), 15:$11M club option, 16:$11.5M club option

It’s 5 years later, so those numbers will change…but that’s not an objectionable gamble, is it?

Comments I’ve seen from a few Padres fans and media types are that Gyorko and Longoria were completely different hitters in the minors and college, and as such it’s absurd to consider a Gyorko contract so soon. Keeping in mind that Gyorko was 1 year older than Longoria at every level, let’s see how different they actually were:

I’m not saying Gyorko is going to be the player Longoria is. I’m just throwing those numbers out for the sake of those who think they’ve been drastically different hitters up until this point. Most project Gyorko to be a productive Major League hitter. It really doesn’t matter if Gyorko is Longoria, he doesn’t have to be to warrant the kind of money it would require to sign him to that kind of deal.

If the Padres agree that he’s a player who will be a productive player for years to come, why not take the low risk/high reward route? Make the player happy/comfortable, foster a positive relationship with your young players, and keep them San Diego Padres throughout their most productive years? It’s not such a crazy idea, after all.

Post navigation

You are encouraged to comment using an exisitng Twitter, Facebook, or Google account. Upvote comments you find helpful, and only downvote comments that do not belong. The downvote is not a 'disagree' button.

This really is exactly what the Padres should be doing. With all of the additional revenue streams that’s about to hit the game (and this team), you’ve got to invest your money on something productive. Traditional free agency has a much more limited pool to choose from than ever before, and free agents signing are looking disastrous left and right. Invest your money efficiently by locking up your best young players through age 30-31, hitters especially. It’s a brilliant move, if that young player is showing a lot of talent. If the experiment fails, it’s not the end of the world, cause you got to spend your money on something, and the Padres will never sign a top-tier free agent.

“It doesn’t really matter if Gyorko is Longoria . . .” I think this is the operative part of the argument that some people are missing. It can still be a brilliant economic move without Jedd putting up the same type of numbers. And if it doesn’t work out, meh. Not that much money lost.

Thanks for writing this, David.

rick_kaine

I get it. If they had done this Headly, who would have not even sniffed the longoria contract, it would be looking really good right now. O’h well hindsight is stupid. I say do it.

MrWhamBam

I’m all for them locking up Jed…but if they’re gonna do that, they should do it for Cabby and Yonder, too.

Some will say, they can find a better shortstop, but I beg to differ. Does anyone know how hard it is to find switch hitting shortstops with his speed, guts, glove/arm and strength?